Empowering Strategic Decisions

Fri, Nov 04, 2016 -

​Just last week, I had the opportunity to join more than 300 risk management professionals at RIMS ERM Conference in Atlanta. This group of committed practitioners have been called on by their organizations to build a risk-aware culture, and enhance the business’ ability to achieve strategic objectives.

The Society recognizes that more and more organizations are leaning on risk professionals to be strategic advisors and, in the past couple of weeks, has produced several new executive reports to help them be just that.

For risk professionals building their cyber risk strategy, we encourage them to check out RIMS 2016 Cyber Survey for benchmarking information. And, to give our membership a better perspective of the risk management landscape in Latin America, the Society teamed up with Marsh to develop the 2016 Risk Management in Latin America report. The full report is in Spanish and the Executive Summary is in English. The full Risk Management in Latin America report in English will be available later this month. All of RIMS reports are available in the RIMS Risk Knowledge library.

Continuing our work to strengthen our global network, on December 13rd and 14th RIMS will host the second annual RIMS Risk Forum Middle East in Dubai. The Forum has an impressive lineup of speakers including risk management leaders from New York University Abu Dhabi, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, the Dubai Centre of Risk Management, Kerzer International, among others. For details about RIMS Risk Forum Middle East or to register, visit www.rims.org/RiskForum/Dubai16.

Here in North America, specifically the United States, we are embarking on one of the most intriguing presidential elections of our time – two candidates with two polar opposite visions for the future of the country. We invite risk professionals to join RIMS for a special webcast on November 17th that will discuss the results of the 2016 United States Presidential and Congressional elections and how, based upon the outcome, practitioners may be affected.

The webcast – Policy Issues in 2017: What the Election Means for Risk Managers – was developed by RIMS Government Affairs team and will be led by Seth Appleton, Chief of Staff for Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri, and Patricia A. Henry, the Global Government Affairs Officer for Chubb Group. To hear how the results of this U.S. election could impact your organization’s risk management strategies, practitioners can register here.

Regardless of the practitioner’s experience level, their responsibilities within their organization, their geographic location or even their political leaders, RIMS stands ready to support all risk professionals’ understanding of the evolution of risk, enabling them to deliver valuable strategic direction to their organizations.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us and allowing RIMS to be the go-to source for all of your risk management needs.

Sincerely,

Julie PembertonRIMS 2016 President

Hono(u)red

Fri, Oct 07, 2016 -

The creativity and the savvy of today’s risk professional has become critical to organizational success and, as such, the tradition of honoring their work annually must live on. RIMS has stepped in to continue to honor those deserving practitioners with the prestigious Risk Manager of the Year Award. The Society acquired the program from Crain Communications this September and we will be ready to celebrate this year’s winner at our Annual Conference & Exhibition in Philadelphia (April 23-26, 2017).

Congratulations are certainly in order for the organizers of RIMS Canada Conference and our host, RIMS Southern Alberta Chapter. In addition to sitting in and learning from the conference’s outstanding program, I had the opportunity to join a lively panel discussion on the future of enterprise risk management. The conference was capped off by hono(u)ring Mark Day, one of the Government of Alberta’s leaders in risk management, with the Donald M. Stuart Award, Canada’s highest honor within the risk management field.

Registration opened this month for RIMS second Risk Forum Middle East and we’re hoping to see the same success that we just experienced at our second Forum in Latin America. The Risk Forum Middle East is in Dubai on December 13 – 14 and we’re excited and honored to work, once again, with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA) to help coordinate the event.

And, while registration is just opening for one event, another one is about to commence. RIMS ERM Conference is just around the corner and I’m excited to join practitioners in Atlanta at the end of the month. RIMS has a long history of encouraging student involvement at its events and, with the support of the Spencer Educational Foundation, we’re proud to be able to provide funds to 16 students from seven universities.

In print, the Society issued its very first RiskPAC Quarterly, a resource that allows us to deliver information to members about our government affairs initiatives, current risk management issues surfacing in government, as well as some helpful tips and best practices for engaging elected officials. The next edition is scheduled for December 2016.

Also, the Society recently published a new executive report titled, “Risk Management’s Role in Mergers & Acquisitions.” The report shares the experiences of several risk professionals – including myself – and how we were able to add value to our organizations during complex merger and acquisition processes. It is now available in RIMS Risk Knowledge library, along with several other recently released publications and articles.

As always, it is an honor for RIMS to promote the value of risk management and we look forward to doing so for years to come.

Sincerely,

Julie PembertonRIMS 2016 President

The Learning Continuum

Fri, Sep 09, 2016 -

​No matter the industry, professionals have turned to continuing education opportunities, certifications and designations to help them stay ahead and adapt to today’s erratic business environment. And, to support the world’s risk management community, RIMS has continued to enhance its programming in these areas to help members position themselves as valuable contributors within their organizations.

The global RIMS-CRMP certification allows risk practitioners to prove their knowledge and commitment to professional excellence. We recently announced the first class of 90 RIMS-CRMP holders and we’re ready to welcome more. In late August, registration opened for the next exam that will be available online during a window of October 15 – December 15. Make sure to send your application in so we can verify your eligibility.

RIMS online resources provide opportunities for pros to stay in step with the latest trends. This month, RIMS International Committee will share a new webcast titled, “Doing Business in China.” Led by RIMS Board Director Robert Zhang and other industry experts, the webcast will look at how a risk manager can contribute to corporate investment strategies and effectively measure risks of doing business in China.

This month, the Society published a new executive report, “Decoding Political Risk Management” that provides a guide for risk professionals assessing their organizations’ political risk. It defines political risk and explores top concerns for organizations as they expand globally, the characteristics of these risks, mitigation strategies and the insurance market. This report, along with many others, can be found in RIMS Risk Knowledge library.

I can’t tell you how excited I am to join the Spencer Educational Foundation for its 8th annual gala on September 15. Being a part of an organization that’s focused on mentoring and supporting the next generation of risk professionals is truly rewarding. This year’s gala in New York will honor Louis P. Iglesias, President, Allied World, and Christine LaSala, North American Chair, Willis Towers Watson, for their contributions to and support of risk management and insurance education. Seats are still available, so if you’d like to join the festivities, visit www.spencered.org.

Just last week, I returned home from RIMS Risk Forum Australasia and the Asia Risk & Resilience Conference 2016 in Singapore. I can confirm that the thirst for risk management knowledge is shared globally. RIMS stands ready to quench that thirst and pledges to continue to provide an array of first-class learning opportunities for its members around the world.

Sincerely,

Julie PembertonRIMS 2016 President

Time to Shine

Mon, Aug 01, 2016 -

No matter the industry, it is imperative that professionals continue to invest in themselves. Whether it’s through networking or reading up on the latest industry trends, it is our job to reassure leadership that they’ve employed an individual who is dedicated to their craft, who is eager to learn and who is constantly searching for ways to excel and provide even greater value to the organization.

RIMS recently celebrated individual members who have taken a major step in affirming their professional value by becoming the first RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) certification holders. The results of the April exam are in. Of the 123 who took the exam 90 passed this global certification. RIMS congratulates the first class of RIMS-CRMP holders and welcomes others to join them once the exam is available online in October.

Just over a month ago, RIMS was able to shine the light on its value, hosting its first RIMS Risk Management Academy with Lloyd’s of London. The Academy offered attendees an interactive learning environment that included the Market Experience Session – an experience where participants observed the face-to-face negotiation between a risk manager and an underwriter. The event was highly successful and a great introduction for many attendees to our industry-leading resources.

RIMS chapters also do a remarkable job in helping members shine in their workplace. Last week, RIMS Florida Educational Conference welcomed hundreds of risk professionals for four days of learning and networking. I’ve been a member of RIMS for more than 20 years and this was my first trip to the conference. It was a privilege to join the festivities in Naples and share my presentation about the latest RIMS initiatives with attendees.

My international travels as RIMS President really kick into high-gear in August.

RIMS Risk Forum Australasia will be my first stop. Ready for our fifth annual forum in the region, this year’s conference will, once again, give our attendees the insight they need to shine within their organizations. The conference will feature a stellar lineup expert speakers and thought-leaders including world-class Australian rugby star – turned insurance industry leader – Phil Kearns. We’re excited to welcome the region’s risk management community to Melbourne on August 22-23 for what we know will be another outstanding industry event.

My time in Australia will be short as, almost immediately following my remarks, I will hop on a flight to Singapore for the Asia Risk & Resilience Conference 2016 on August 25. I’m honored to be invited by RIMAS and Business Continuity Planning Asia to present on enterprise risk management.

For most, keeping up with my international travels would be near impossible. Understanding that travel isn’t easy for everyone, the Society continues to enhance its online learning opportunities. Just recently, RIMS held its first webcast series uniquely tailored for three different regions of the world. The Brexit: Political Risk in the Heart of the G7 webcast was delivered by Control Risks, a consulting firm specializing in global political risks, to audiences in Asia, Europe and North America.In addition to our Brexit series, RIMS is now offering three new online courses. For a long time, Risk Management Techniques, Fundamentals of Insurance and Cyber Risk and Data Security were in-person workshops hosted by the Society. And, now, we are proud to offer these courses online. All of our webcasts are cataloged and available for replay on the RIMS website. I encourage you to check them out.

It’s your time to shine. Let RIMS be your source for cutting-edge industry insight. We look forward to welcoming you at our regional events this fall, and providing you with even more in the months ahead.

Sincerely,

Julie PembertonRIMS 2016 President

Proactivity

Fri, Jun 10, 2016 -

Organizations rely on their risk professionals to be proactive. It’s on us to not only understand the organization’s history but we must also be up-to-speed on industry trends, the organization’s strategic direction and ready for whatever might come next.

With the enormous challenge our members face making difficult decisions to manage known and emerging risks for their organizations, RIMS must be proactive so that we can support our members through this challenging journey.

One key risk our profession is facing is a talent gap from the upcoming baby boomer retirement phase. Rising risk professionals are the key to the profession’s future and the Society has focused its energy on this critical group. This past weekend, RIMS held it’s first-ever RIMS NeXtGen Summit. One hundred up-and-coming risk professionals attended a two-day conference in Washington, D.C. and took advantage of education sessions developed specifically for them. I had the opportunity to attend and I can’t express enough how refreshing it was to see these new professionals so enthusiastic about their careers in the industry.

Advocacy is another way RIMS works to ensure that our professional needs are sustained for years to come. At RIMS 2016 Legislative Summit – also this past week – members from across United States gathered to learn and discuss the legislative priorities that directly impact our work. The conversations held during the 70 meetings with legislators and staff focused on proposed legislation on cyber security, ADA protection and tax treatment for captives. We also had discussions in preparation for the National Flood Insurance Program reauthorization coming up next year. We were privileged to have Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) as a guest speaker for our luncheon on the Hill.

We’ve also been active advocating for both current and prospective members outside of the US. By uncovering best practices used in the U.S. and by our international colleagues, RIMS is able to share different perspectives and strategies that help our members stay ahead of the curve.

In May, RIMS participated in a Risk Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa and it was an overwhelming success. The Society partnered with the Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IRMSA) and welcomed more than 150 participants at this inaugural event. RIMS presented on developments in risk management in the United States and shared some of our existing resources with attendees. These types of forums are a fantastic source of industry insight. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with IRMSA and to hosting several more international summits soon.

The relationships we build within the organization can also enhance our ability to be proactive. A new executive report issued by RIMS titled, “Risk Taker vs. Risk Manager” explores goals, responsibilities and the value of collaboration between those charged with pursuing new opportunities and risk professionals. It is available in RIMS Risk Knowledge library.

Only when armed with information can risk professionals become integral and proactive strategic advisors within their organization. And there is no better place for industry-leading knowledge than at the RIMS ERM Conference. The conference is a must-attend for anyone considering to implement or looking to take their established ERM program to new heights. Registration is now open and we hope you are able to join us in Atlanta this October.

We have so much more for our members in the second half of the year. RIMS Risk Forums around the world, regional RIMS conferences held by our chapters and even more reports and surveys. RIMS looks forward to continuing to provide our members with the tools to be proactive and lead within their organizations.

Sincerely,

Julie PembertonRIMS 2016 President

A Record Breaker

Wed, Apr 27, 2016 -

The hours, the days, weeks and months of hard work that go into hosting RIMS Annual Conference & Exhibition certainly paid off. It was a record breaking year for the conference and it once again proved why the RIMS’ network of risk professionals is the greatest in the world.

Several records were broken in San Diego. One hundred and eighty-two educational sessions, 406 exhibitors, more than 75 countries represented and the total attendance neared 10,500 – a number that RIMS has not hit since our 2003 conference in Chicago. Needless to say, RIMS 2016 Annual Conference was an overwhelming success.

While it’s too late now to benefit from the countless in-person networking opportunities presented at the conference, risk professionals can still take advantage of the conference’s educational offerings. PlaybackRIMS is a new feature that we added this year. Complimentary for VIP Conference Registrants, the on-demand, pay-per-view feature allows anyone to watch presentations – with slides – and learn from the 20 most popular sessions at RIMS ’16. You can preview the available sessions at www.playbackrims.com. Also, many have uploaded handouts from their sessions at www.RIMS.org/2016handouts.

In addition to the new records set at RIMS ’16, the Society also released three new publications during the conference:

RIMS Benchmark Survey, produced with Advisen, provides an inside look at what organizations are spending to protect their assets and people. This year, the annual benchmarking report looked at the Total Cost of Risk (TCOR) for 52,000 insurance programs from 1,457 organizations that span 14 different industry categories. This year’s book features a new section on Cyber Insurance, taking a look at what organizations are spending to protect data.

At the conference, the session about the Marsh/RIMS Excellence in Risk Management Report XIII was one of the most popular. The 13th edition of this annual report focused on forecasting emerging risks and the value ERM can offer organizations hoping to leverage future uncertainties.

In more ways than one, RIMS Annual Conference & Exhibition is the ultimate learning experience the risk management industry has to offer. We hope that you will join us next year in Philadelphia on April 23rd through the 26th…and help us break even more records.

RIMS continues to enhance its educational offerings with a number of new forums and conferences. Next week, RIMS will host its first-ever Risk Summit South Africa. Working with our newest strategic partner IRMSA (Institute for Risk Management South Africa), RIMS Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Carol Fox is set to deliver a presentation on risk management trends in the US to the already 90 professionals who have registered to join us in Johannesburg.

With San Diego in our rearview mirror, it’s time for us to get focused on the NeXtGen Summit and RIMS Legislative Forum scheduled for the first weekend of June in Washington, D.C. I’ll be there. I hope you will too.

Finally, I would like to end this message by thanking all the people who helped make my experience as president at RIMS ’16 unforgettable. Staff, fellow Board Directors, our network of passionate volunteers, members and everyone else who participated – each of you played a big part in making the event so special. Thank you.

With that said, my work as the RIMS president is far from over. In the next seven months, I plan to help this Society keep the momentum going. Through new publications, learning opportunities, forums and other risk management resources we plan to deliver, we can’t wait to share with you even more thought-leading content throughout the year.

Sincerely,

Julie PembertonRIMS 2016 President

A Worldly Education

Wed, Mar 30, 2016 -

​No matter what stage of your career you are in, it’s never too late to embrace that inner curiosity and learn something new.

For RIMS to maintain its position as the leading risk management association, we recognize the importance of continuing to learn about our members, industry trends and our risk management counterparts around the globe.

In March, RIMS assembled a China Delegation comprising CEO Mary Roth, members of the Society’s 2016 Board of Directors, staff and myself. RIMS Board Director Robert Zhang, China Risk and Compliance Manager for IKEA Investment Co., Ltd., took the lead and developed a comprehensive agenda that included highly-productive meetings with integral players in China’s insurance market, government and at universities in Beijing and Shanghai. The trip was successful, giving the Society an opportunity to engage the country’s thriving risk management community, to learn about their programs, their challenges and then determine how RIMS can support their work moving forward.

New at this year’s conference is a Professional Development Lounge – to help professionals learn more about themselves and what companies are looking for – a Global Lounge – to share risk management perspective from around the world – and three General Session keynoters who will each share very different but equally thought-provoking TED-style presentations.

In addition to its new additions, our 54th Annual Conference will feature 400 solutions providers in the Exhibit Hall, 180 educational sessions, 400 expert speakers and we are expecting 10,000 attendees from more than 50 countries. For those who can’t make it to San Diego, you’ll be able to watch the General Session live by visiting www.RIMS.org/RIMS16.

The Spencer-RIMS Risk Management Challenge is in its third year and it too has been a great way to educate and get budding risk management students excited about the profession. Eight university teams have been selected to compete in at the Annual Conference and will be asked to provide their solutions to a real risk management case-study from LEGO. Congratulations to Appalachian State University, Butler University, Florida State University, Illinois State University, St. Joseph’s University, St. Mary’s University, Temple University and University of Georgia. See you all in San Diego!

Another way RIMS helps educate others about the value of risk management is through its advocacy efforts. This past month, the Society hosted its local RIMS on the Hill event in Sacramento. The two-day meeting gave practitioners a forum to discuss legislation that is currently impacting the area’s organizations and then meet face-to-face with state representatives. Conversations focused on Workers’ Compensation and Employee Safety issues and it was great lead-in to RIMS Legislative Summit, scheduled for June 6 and 7 in Washington, D.C.

Finally, I wanted to share that, this week, I have volunteered to take part in RIMS Chicago Chapter’s “Job Shadow Day.” I had the chance to welcome a very smart and very eager student from University of Wisconsin-Madison to my office and give her a quick glimpse at what a day in the life of a risk professional looks like.

Whether it is a student, a young professional or a new colleague, mentoring is a gift that we can all give. It truly is a rewarding experience. For many of us, it was a mentor who got us through our first few years in the professional world or who generously shared their experiences on how to manage the organization through a new initiative. The opportunities are abundant – even those one-on-one mentoring connections that can be made virtually on Opis – so I encourage you all to step up and be an influential part of someone’s risk management education.

Looking forward to seeing many of you at RIMS ’16 in San Diego next week and, more importantly, joining you on this never-ending educational journey.

Sincerely,

Julie PembertonRIMS 2016 President

RIMS: From A to Zika

Wed, Mar 02, 2016 -

​Now that the dust has settled, I can clearly see that many of the objectives and initiatives we have set for the year are well underway. 2016 is shaping up to be an outstanding year for RIMS.

Cyber risk continues to be the top concern of risk professionals around the world. This month, RIMS held another well-attended webcast titled Cyber Risk: A Boardroom Issue. The reception these webcasts received tell us that we’re on to something and we’ll continue to identify opportunities throughout the year to deliver thought-leading information on pressing issues that risk professionals can access right from their desks.

Opis is another resource we’re using to help our members to stay ahead of the curve. The online network has seen over 1,300 engagements created and users have joined from 29 countries. Chapter engagements were created in February for all of our chapters. The goal is to give members a vehicle to interact and share content with their local peers during the time between chapter meetings…or in the case that you missed one.

Because change is constant, staying up-to-date with best practices and risk management trends has become crucial to successfully managing risk. The RIMS-CRMP certification is not only a great way to stay current but it also demonstrates and confirms your expertise. The first exam for the RIMS-CRMP is in-person on April 10th in San Diego. Already more than half of the 200 available exam seats have been filled. If you’re interested in sitting for this new, global certification, I encourage you to visit www.RIMS.org/certificationto see if you qualify. The deadline to apply is March 11.

When you speak about being current, who has a better finger on the pulse of the latest business trends than the next generation of professionals? RIMS Board recognizes the importance this demographic will play on the future of our profession and has announced plans to host our first-ever NeXtGen Summit. The summit, scheduled for June in Washington, D.C., is a can’t-miss educational and networking event for rising risk professionals who are looking to shift their careers into high-gear. It precedes the RIMS Legislative Summit and registration is open for both.

RIMS international efforts for 2016 will kick into high gear in March. In just a few weeks, I will have the privilege to deliver keynote addresses to RIMS Japan Chapter members in Osaka and Tokyo. Following Japan, myself, several of RIMS Board Directors and RIMS Staff will meet in Beijing for our first RIMS China Delegation. The delegation is new this year and is an exploratory mission to further develop partnerships with leading members of the region’s flourishing risk management community.

In addition to updates from my travels, in the weeks ahead, RIMS looks forward to sharing more thought-leading content to keep our members at the forefront of risk.

Sincerely,

Julie PembertonRIMS 2016 President

Just An Idea

Thu, Jan 28, 2016 -

​Although it was shortly after I graduated high school, I remember the day as if it was just yesterday when my boss approached me and said, “Julie, the company is going through reorganization and effective next week, your role is being transferred to another department. We’re moving you from Tax to Risk Management.”

My initial reaction was “Risk Management? That is not what I signed up for! Insurance policies renew once a year, what will I do the rest of the year?” Confused and resistant to change, I went kicking and screaming (internally, not externally) and, obviously, with little understanding of what risk management actually was. I soon developed an interest in the work – and the rest, as they say, is history.

It is humbling and slightly surreal to believe that my decision to accept that new position was a pivotal moment leading to a career in risk management. Embracing that change resulted in a hunger to further my education, a passion for the profession, and has ultimately given me the privilege of serving as president of the world’s greatest risk management association.

Since that time, I’ve learned many things. One being that change is constant. From the day I transitioned into that new role to today, the risk management role has changed significantly. As risk professionals, our responsibilities continue to evolve and grow. Today, in addition to assessing and mitigating the downside of risk, we are developing creative solutions – partnering with the business to enable risk taking and optimize organizational success.

Supporting risk taking with these innovative ideas gives us the power to further our careers and cement the risk professional’s position as an integral contributor to the organization’s strategic and operational decision-making process. RIMS must not only be ready to advance its own ideas, but also support its members with resources to help convert their ideas into valuable solutions for their organizations.

Along with a new mission statement which is “To educate, engage and advocate for the global risk management community,” the Society has committed to four Strategic Priorities to help our members turn IDEAS INTO VALUE:

1. INNOVATE: Innovation must be embraced even if it’s disruptive. The Society will continue to be forward-thinking when it comes to establishing a sustainable and adaptable organizational structure and processes to best serve our members.

2. DEVELOP: RIMS will continue to equip risk professionals to ensure they are successful in this evolving environment. The creation of cutting-edge content specific to the most relevant issues that challenge today’s risk professional is pivotal to the future of the Society and the discipline.

3. ENGAGE: Risk management continues to be dynamic with emerging risks, changing regulations, advancements in technology, globalization and, inevitably, more uncertainties. Ensuring our active and engaged risk management community stays ahead of the curve is imperative. Through effective communication strategies and accessible learning opportunities, RIMS will continue to foster the exchange of ideas among our involved professional network and industry connections.

4. ADVOCATE: The Society has long been the advocate for risk management and the unquestionable value the business function delivers to the organization. RIMS’ advocacy efforts will continue to leverage opportunities, transcend geographic borders and support a diverse field of professionals.

2016 is poised to be another remarkable year for RIMS and it is truly an honor to be selected to lead this Society as we invest in the future.

Sincerely,

Julie PembertonRIMS 2016 President

JULIE PEMBERTON NAMED 2016 PRESIDENT OF RIMS

Mon, Jan 04, 2016 -

​NEW YORK (January 4, 2016) — RIMS, the risk management society™, today announced that Julie Pemberton will lead the Society as president for the 2016 term, effective January 1.

Ms. Pemberton is the Director of Enterprise Risk and Insurance Management for Outerwall Inc. She has been a member of RIMS for more than 16 years and on its Board of Directors for six years. Previously, Ms. Pemberton served as the Society’s Vice President and Board liaison to RIMS External Affairs Committee. She is a member of RIMS Chicago Chapter.

“Every invention. Every startup. Every process, guideline, protocol and standard starts with an idea,” said Ms. Pemberton. “Risk professionals’ responsibilities continue to evolve and are growing within their organizations. In addition to mitigating the impact of a risk, practitioners are initiating ideas and developing solutions to not only prevent unwanted risks but to embrace and enable risk taking that optimizes business growth.

“As RIMS 62nd President, I look forward to helping this Society focus on the future, ensuring that we continue to advance and convert ideas into valuable resources that support the world’s risk management community.”

About RIMS As the preeminent organization dedicated to advancing the practice of risk management, RIMS, the risk management society, is a global not-for-profit organization representing more than 3,500 industrial, service, nonprofit, charitable and government entities throughout the world. Founded in 1950, RIMS brings networking, professional development and education opportunities to its membership of more than 11,000 risk management professionals who are located in more than 60 countries. For more information on RIMS, visit www.RIMS.org.

Even through my last month as RIMS President, the Society has continued to produce content that reinforces our commitment to advancing the profession and delivering relevant resources to our members.

Perhaps the biggest news of the month is that registration for RIMS 2016 Annual Conference & Exhibition is now open. Yes. It’s that time of year again. The 2016 conference encourages risk professionals to “Go Beyond” and the Society has backed that theme with even more educational and networking opportunities. San Diego is always a great venue and we look forward to having you there April 10-13.

Another big RIMS headline this December is the launch of RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) credential. The RIMS-CRMP is intended to allow risk professionals to demonstrate their achievement of risk management competencies, knowledge, as well as their commitment to quality. We’ll administer the first exam for this certification for members only in San Diego on April 10. For more information or to sign up for the exam, visit www.RIMS.org/Certification.

The RIMS 2015 Compensation Survey is now available. The survey provides detailed compensation analysis by industry, location and position for virtually all risk professional positions. It also explores education, experience and demographical data’s impact on compensation, as well as benefits and additional cash compensation programs available to practitioners. The survey is a useful tool for any business leader looking to build their risk management team.

This year has been a spectacular ride and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my fellow Board Directors. You are a talented group of professionals, extraordinary volunteers and have become great friends. Thank you.

Each year, some of our Board Director’s complete their service. I’d like to highlight some of their contributions as my sincerest appreciation for their work.

Leslie Lamb – Leslie brought a unique perspective on technology issues that was very helpful in Board discussions, particularly establishing better membership communication strategies. Leslie led the Communications Task Force that developed a solid game plan that the Society will use moving forward.

Al Gorski – Al’s work as the lead on RIMS Task Force 2020 was crucial to getting that initiative off the ground. He served as a key Committee Restructuring Task Force member, helping to streamline operations to ensure that committee work aligns with the Society’s mission and vision. Al will be a great addition to California State Fullerton’s Center of Insurance Studies Board of Directors.

Fred Savage – Fred’s professional experience at Chevron and beyond provided the Board with a unique viewpoint, especially in the international arena. Fred also kept the Board focused, ensuring all new objectives were centered on our members’ evolving needs. This year, he led the House of Delegates Meeting Revamp Task Force that was highly successful in improving the 2015 and 2016 meeting format. Fred was also a pivotal member of RIMS Audit Committee for the past three years.

Lori Seidenberg – Lori contributed to RIMS in all ways possible. Always eager to lend her support, she stepped in on several occasions to represent RIMS at important industry events. She was an integral leader on RIMS Board who was instrumental to its movement to become a more strategic governing body. Deservingly, she was named to Business Insurance’s 2015 Women to Watch list – a great tribute to not only her outstanding professional achievements but also her character.

Carolyn Snow – RIMS 2014 president was a great mentor. Carolyn completed her successful run through RIMS Board’s Executive Committee, board liaison duties, numerous committee and chapter positions, as well as her presidency and year as RIMS Ex-Officio. Her knowledge and dedication to the profession will surely be missed. This year, Carolyn stepped into a new role and served on RIMS Nominating Committee where she helped set new procedures, ensuring continued success for RIMS 2016 Board and into the future.

We leave you in good hands but I assure you that our work with RIMS is far from over. I know that in some way or another we will all continue to contribute to this Society and the profession.

I would like to thank RIMS staff for their unwavering support and our generous and devoted chapter officers and volunteers.

It has truly been an honor to work with all of you and to serve this Society as RIMS 2015 President. Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year.

Sincerely,

Rick RobertsRIMS 2015 President

Getting on the Same Page

Mon, Nov 09, 2015 -

​One of the very first things we teach in introductory risk management courses is that for risk management to succeed, everyone must be on the “same page.” Everyone’s definition of risk, risk appetite, risk tolerance, enterprise risk management, strategic risk management and, even, the definition of the risk manager’s expectations must be understood by all.

Through reports, conferences and other educational initiatives, we aim to provide risk professionals with resources to go back to their organizations and “get everyone on the same page,” and many of our new resources available within the last month were designed just for that.

In October, ASIS International and RIMS jointly released the new ANSI/ASIS/RIMS Risk Assessment Standard. This Standard provides the world’s risk management community with guidance on developing and sustaining a coherent and effective risk assessment program. The Standard, which is now available in RIMS Risk Knowledge, offers international businesses a roadmap for implementing sound risk management processes.

At the FERMA conference in Venice, Italy, I joined a panel to discuss the evolution of risk management and how we, as risk professionals, strive to have our work incorporated into strategic planning. It’s interesting to hear that risk professionals, no matter where they’re located, often are confronted with the same challenges. Events like this reinforce the importance for RIMS’ continued collaboration with risk management associations around the world to truly advance our profession.

Enterprise Risk Management continues to gain momentum and has been proven to be effective in getting everyone within the organization “on the same page” when it comes to understanding risk. This year’s RIMS ERM Conference was our largest ERM conference yet. Almost 400 risk professionals met in Chicago to discuss the value of this contemporary approach to risk management. Congratulations are in order for everyone involved and, especially for this year’s ERM Award of Distinction winner Intuit, and honorable mention VIA Rail Canada.

RIMS and LogicManager celebrated 10-years of the RIMS Risk Maturity Model. The Model allows risk practitioners to score their current risk programs to gauge its effectiveness, its strengths and weaknesses. To help understand the benefits of this resource, a new executive report titled About The RIMS Risk Maturity Model was developed. Also at the conference, the Society released its State of ERM Report 2015 highlighting organizations’ perspective of risk management while showing the progress businesses have made implementing ERM since the last report in 2008.

In addition to keeping up to speed on risk management strategies, practitioners need to have an understanding of regulations that impact the discipline. RIMS External Affairs Committee remains our main conduit for this information and, earlier in October, released the Alternatives to Traditional Workers Compensation Systems executive report. The report explores the benefits and drawbacks of recent developments implemented by some states, including the option for organizations not to participate in the program.

In other Society news, the Board met in Chicago last month and approved the 2016 RIMS operating budget. We also approved a model for Chapter by-laws that reflects the updates to the Society’s by-laws, and Chapters can implement these as they see fit. And, in case you haven’t heard, Awards Nominations are now open for RIMS ’16. Now’s the time to nominate your peers for their risk management and volunteer achievements so they can be recognized at RIMS ’16 in San Diego.

Thank you for all that you do for RIMS and we look forward to sharing even more in the upcoming months so that you’re well-equipped to get your organization on the right page.

Sincerely,

Rick RobertsRIMS 2015 President

Do You Have A Second?

Fri, Oct 02, 2015 -

​You’re not alone. Everyone is pressed for time.

Throughout the years, RIMS has developed a great reputation for providing risk professionals with the knowledge, the experts, the best practices and the network to allow them to excel professionally. But, it’s always been up to the member to decide what he or she is looking for and tailor their RIMS experience accordingly.

But, who has time for that anymore? So, RIMS has gone a step further. We realized that not only is it our job to develop content but we also needed a better way to deliver relevant information to you.

This September, the Society proudly unveiled Opis “The RIMS Information Network.” We’re one of the first trade associations to implement this new online platform. Opis has the smarts to recommend risk management content and connect you with like-minded practitioners based on your user profile.

For example, if you added Enterprise Risk Management as one of your areas of interest, Opis would recommend surveys and reports relevant to that topic, as well as connect you with others within the RIMS network who share ERM as a core competency. Opis does the work for you. We encourage members to update their profiles today and take advantage of this great new resource.

With limited time, traveling to offsite workshops can be difficult. Over the next two months, RIMS will feature four new webcasts that you can watch from your office. These online learning opportunities touch on topics like ERM, SRM, business continuity, cyber security and travel risks. More details about the programs are listed under the Education tab on the RIMS website.

Though time might be scarce, nothing quite compares to in-person networking opportunities and there have been several noteworthy updates to our lineup of upcoming conferences.

RIMS ERM Conference will be here before you know it. The conference, scheduled for October 26 and 27 in Chicago, has just announced that Tom Easthope, Senior Risk Manager at Microsoft, has been added to the program. Mr. Easthope’s participation will be a welcome addition to the conference’s already stellar lineup of risk practitioners.

Networking and collaborating with others is so important to what we do and it is no surprise that it remains a highly rated member benefit. We’re lucky that, at RIMS, so many of our members are willing to share their experiences, to help others and enhance the discipline.

To that end, RIMS Strategic and Enterprise Risk Center has been updated with five new Success Tips: Q&A Interviews. The interviews feature leading risk professionals who are doing some amazing work with their organizations’ Enterprise Risk Management programs. Interviews include conversations with practitioners from Harley-Davidson, YMCA of Greater Toronto, The Pan American Games, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., Whirlpool Corp. among others. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend checking them out.

These are very exciting times for the Society and our profession. I strongly believe RIMS has introduced some great resources to help risk professionals tackle the complex risks our organizations are now facing, to better understand the challenges of the global marketplace, to become valued strategic advisors in our organizations and, perhaps, save us all a little time along the way.

Sincerely,

Rick RobertsRIMS 2015 President

Staying Focused...

Thu, Aug 20, 2015 -

Maybe it’s the weather or maybe it’s those summer vacation plans but, for many, this time of year our focus might not be at its sharpest. RIMS productivity in the last month and the resources we continue to deliver are meant to energize the global risk management community, driving all of us to stay focused on our organizational and professional goals.

August featured several initiatives that supported one of my Presidential objectives: strengthening RIMS’ international network.

Just this week, I was in Melbourne for the Society’s third annual Risk Forum Australasia. The Melbourne event was a huge success. We hosted almost 150 attendees and, from the conversations I had, attendees walked away thrilled with the level of content. As we do with all of our events and resources, we’re already looking at exciting new ways to make this Forum bigger and better next year.

Noting the success of our Forums in the Australasia region, we’ve decided to share the wealth with the flourishing risk management community in Latin America. We’re pleased to announce that registration is now open for RIMS Risk Forum Latin America scheduled for November 9th and 10th in Lima, Peru. An agenda is already up on the website and we’re looking forward to announcing the speakers in the near future. Details about RIMS Risk Forum Middle East are coming soon.

I know from my 25 years as a RIMS member that connections made at our conferences are so important. In my career, they have been so instrumental in helping me approach new challenges and opportunities. But, things have changed since my start with RIMS. Now, just as important as those in-person interactions are, the ones we build online are equally as valuable.

In September, RIMS will unveil Opis the RIMS Information Network. With Opis, RIMS will now be able to recommend customized content and connections based upon your skillset, your level of expertise and your areas of interest. RIMS will essentially do the work for you. Already 700 early adopters were invited to begin their Opis journey, subject matter experts have begun creating engagement spaces and we’ve already uploaded content from Risk Knowledge. As far as I know, we are the only risk management society in the world to use this innovative member platform and we are confident you will see its immediate advantages.

Planning is well underway for RIMS 2016 Annual Conference & Exhibition. Earlier this month, our Annual Conference Programming Committee met to select educational sessions for RIMS ’16 in San Diego. Over the course of a weekend, the Committee whittled the almost 900 session submissions down to 181 that focused on the most compelling and relevant risk management topics. News about keynote speakers should be available soon and we will definitely keep you up-to-date with latest developments about the conference. Registration opens in December.

Finally, to ensure that we are doing our part to engage risk professionals around the globe we have taken steps to review and enhance existing RIMS resources. Strategic Risk Management remains a hot topic for our members and, with this in mind, we wanted to make RIMS Strategic Risk Management Implementation Guide more accessible for everyone. So, now one of RIMS’ best-selling resources is available digitally in the RIMStore, and I’m sure that more opportunities like this will follow soon.

Focused, determined and ready. No matter the weather outside or the time of year, RIMS remains committed to providing you with the tools and support you need to achieve your risk management objectives.

Sincerely,

Rick RobertsRIMS 2015 President

Summer of Surveys

Mon, Jul 27, 2015 -

​What will this Society look like in 5, 10 or 15 years? What will the risk management profession be like then? How will the insurance process and solution providers evolve? These are the questions that RIMS and its 2020 Task Force constantly explore so that we can help prepare our members for whatever may lie ahead.

Key to that pursuit of industry knowledge is taking the pulse of our members to determine what their needs are today and what they’ll be tomorrow. This summer, RIMS will issue three surveys to do just that and will release results from another by the end of July.

Building on the success of the inaugural 2014 RIMS and J.D. Power Large Business Commercial Insurance Study, this year we are hoping to have enough completed surveys to publish company and broker rankings. This new element to the report is something our members asked for, and it is obvious the value it will offer risk professionals as they make critical decisions for their organizations. We are accepting surveys (participate here) through the first week of August and the final report will be available in the fall.

Last week, we issued RIMS Risk Management Job Task Analysis survey. A learning endeavor initiated by the RIMS Board, the goal of this survey is to get a better understanding of our member’s perspective on what it means to be a risk professional, essential skills and common responsibilities. We encourage all of our professional members to take the survey (participate here) and help us better serve you.

It’s not called the “Summer of Surveys” for nothing. In just a couple of weeks, we will reach out to members, asking them to participate in the RIMS Compensation Survey. The name can be deceiving as it’s more than just a list of salaries. Members, myself included, have found the survey report to be extremely helpful in budgeting for future risk management initiatives, and also assessing their own professional growth. This year’s survey report is slated to be released in early fall.

The results are in and the 2015 RIMS Benchmark Survey is now available. The annual RIMS survey, produced with Advisen Ltd, is a single source of benchmark statistics with industry data for more than 52,000 insurance programs from almost 1,500 organizations. To order “The Book” visit www.rims.org/book.

There is more going on at RIMS than just surveys and research.

At RIMS ’15 in New Orleans, we mentioned plans to launch a new member engagement platform. Well, those plans are underway. Opis the RIMS Information Network is in its final testing period. The platform, designed to connect members with content and people relevant to their specific risk management focus, is now being used by a group of “early adopters” and will be ready for the general membership this September. To learn more, visit www.RIMS.org/opis.

RIMS’ much anticipated ERM Conference – scheduled for October 26 and 27 in Chicago – is fast approaching. We are excited to welcome author and award-winning professor Witold J. Henisz as our keynoter who will address the advantages ERM lends to risk professionals who are faced with the daunting task of protecting, enhancing and leveraging corporate reputation. Whether you’re responsible for a mature ERM program or if you’re just contemplating the idea of implementing one, the conference agenda is designed to cater to professionals at all levels of experience.This month RIMS released a new executive report: Risk Management & Remote Work Policies. Based on interviews with RIMS Board Directors, the report highlights the advantages, challenges and the role risk professionals can take in helping their organization develop a comprehensive remote work policy. The executive report is now available in RIMS Risk Knowledge library.

Finally, I would like to congratulate the RIMS Publications team for their outstanding work putting together RIMS Risk Managementmagazine. On top of delivering exceptional content each month, the magazine was presented four awards recognizing its superior graphic design. Kudos to everyone involved.

Our journey to identify the future needs of risk professionals is far from over, but RIMS continues to make significant strides that differentiate us from any other association in the industry. As we focus on the future of the profession, RIMS is proud to be able to provide you with industry-leading resources, knowledge and networking opportunities along the way.